LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1926, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Ladies’ Life-Saving Club croquet lawns and tennis courts were officially opened on Saturday, the former by Mrs. D. K. Morrison, and the latter by Mrs. W. Brodie, both of whom expressed hopes for a successful season. There was a large attendance, and the excellent condition of the lawns afforded a fine afternoon’s enjoyment. The spread of lupins in the district was referred to at the meeting of the Patea County Council on Tuesday. A councillor said there was really a grave danger, because when the lupin got established it spread so fast. He instanced a case at Manutalii where a plant or two spread in a year to a great number, and after a burn there were millions of seedlings.—Star. Cats are blamed for many things, from stealing butchers’ meat to petting their heads eaught in milk jugs, but it is seldom that they arc accused of a fondness for fruit. On Wednesday afternoon, however, a cat was observed disposing of the remains of an orange in Lambton Quay, says the Post. The orange was past . its prime, but nevertheless it seemed very palatable to the feline taste, and the cat, heedless of the curiosity of passers-by, did nBt stop until she had consumed rind and all.

“We are good friends,” admitted a witness in the Wellington Supreme Court on Wednesday, when he was questioned regarding his attitude towards another party in the case. “I bought a racehorse from him.” Mr. Justice MacGregor: “That is a severe test of friendship, isn’t it?” (Laughter.) Witness: “Yes. Our frinedship has survived the horse deal.” Counsel: “It has won a race or two, hasn’t it?” Witness: “Yes, it has had a win.” Counsel: “The friendship is therefore sealed.” (Renewed laughter.) Attracted by the shipping, the Citizens’ Band and weather that was unusually fine for this spring, a large number of people visited the Breakwater yesterday afternoon. They showed their appreciation of the recital given under the baton of Conductor R. L. Lowe by contributing over £ll. By special request the band played “The Prisoner’s Song” and, in addition to hymn tunes, the programme included: Marches, “Red Gauntlet” (Rimmer), “Machine Gun Guards” (Alford); selections, “William Tell” (Ronini), “The Mikado” (Sullivan); euphonium solo, “Jenny Jones” (Rimmer), soloist, J. Lowe; trombone solo, “Tyrolene” (Sutton), soloist, Mr. E. Feek.

The O.S. figure receives prominent attention in the collection of smart new frocks now showing in the Melbourne, Ltd.’s, showroom. Those with full figures will find no difficulty in securing perfect satisfaction. Styles impart graceful lines, and are the embodiment of good taste. Materials jre of superior quality; colours, too, have been given judicious selection.

The petitioner in a divorce case in Australia said, as an example of her husband’s jealous nature, that when the Prince of Wales came to Colac she waved to him with the crowd, and her husband refused to speak to her for three days. “These people were boarders at the place,” said Mr. Leicester in explaining a case at the Supreme Court in Wellington. “Not boarders,” reminded His Honour (Mr. Justice Alpers). “The term ‘boarders’ is now a euphemism. They are called paying guests, because ‘boarder’ does not sound well.” The case proceeded with the reference to the paying guests.

Many children spent a happy time at the Moturoa school on Friday evening, when a fancy dress dance was given for them by the school committee and teachers. Supper was provided by a ladies committee under the direction of Mrs. Parkinson, and'consisting of Mesdames Fliiker, Stevens, Giles, Bremer, Jones, and Loveridge, Mr. Hall carried out the duties of' M.C.

Whilst two hundred and twenty-five thousand cows have been, or are being tested by the New Zealand Co-operative Herd Testing Association, Waikato, Mr. C. M. Hume; general manager, states that not one of them has approached the record put up by a black and white, bred by Mr. W. R. Wright, Rahotu. whose record was 7801'b butter-fat in auu days.

The well known auctioneering firm of Newton King, Ltd. have been called upon during their business career to sell most things, ranging almost from the proverbial needle to the anchor (says the Stratford Post). They had, however, never been called upon to sell up a bank, but if they cherished any ambitions in that direction these were gratified on Thursday at Ohura. A certain bank had decided to close up its branch in that centre, and the firm were instructed to put building, furniture and fittings under the hammer, and did it in their usual efficient manner.

Nemesis came on an Bft. mako shark in the Manukau Harbour under unusual circumstances the other day, says the New Zealand Herald. Moreover, the shark’s fate was touched with a strange irony in that the instrument of his downfall was a dead dog tied up in a bag. Apparently, in the course of his cruises in the Manukau the mako came on this tasty canine morsel, but his formidable double row of saw teeth did not make a clean bite of the carcase. The result was that the sacking became entangled in the shark’s teeth and, with no tooth pick handy, he was muzzled in deadly earnest. Of how long the mako struggled with the grisly gag there is no record, but on Sunday he was found lying dead on the rocks near the heads, vanquished by a dead dog.

The numbers of motor vehicles registered in the several highway districts up to and ineluding September 30 were as follow: —Auckland North 19,088, Auckland South 13,808, Tauranga 2990, Gisborne 3025, Hawke’s Bay 10,235, King Country 1826, Taranaki 8600, Wanganui 7145, Wellington East 5624, Wellington West 18,559, Nelson 4898, West Coast 1985, Canterbury North 1564, Canterbury Central 17,763, Canterbury South 11,442, Otago Central 2022, Otago South 8945, Southland 8176. The total for the eighteen highway districts of New Zealand was 147,651. In the same period there were 2931 dealers’ cars and 467 dealers’ cycle plates issued in New Zealand. Up to September 30, 59,483 cars, 14.143 trucks, etc., and 17,230 cycles, a total of 90,856, were registered in the North Island, and 37,331 cars, 6258 trucks, etc., and 13,206 cycles, a total of 56,795, were registered in the South Island.

Novel proposals for the erection of a pier and curtain wall to eliminate silting in the Wanganui harbour turning basin at Castlecliff were put before the Wanganui Harbour Board on Friday night by the engineer (Mr. H. V. M. Haszard). He suggested a curved key wall extending into the mouth of the basin from the seaward extremity of the existing wharves. The effect of the pier would, he said, be to narrow the entrance of the basin to 80 feet, permitting a minimum of flow through the entrance to the basin, and facilitating the maintenance of uniform depths. Mr. Haszard said the work would cost about £40,000, and, in his opinion, was very necessary. The narrowness of the entrance would not be a serious matter, as the largest boats coming to New Zealand were only of 60 or 65 feet beam, and could be warped through. The external face of the pier would be of spring piling. The report was eferred to the works committee.—Chronicle.

Everything promises well for the annual mart day and house-to-house collection to be held in New Plymouth on Friday by the Plunket Society. Goods are coming in well for the various stalls, and the children’s clothes to’be offered will be a feature. Mrs. Ashton and her sewing committee have ready dainty, well made dresses and strong, simple beach frocks suitable for little girls. All sewing parcels should be sent in by tomorrow, so that the garments may be priced. Home-made cakes, jams, ehutneys, brawns and sweets will be on sale, and there will be plenty of eggs for those who like to put them down for the winter. Copies of the third edition of the cookery book will be available.

Late entries for the Egmont A. and P. Association’s annual show will be received by the secretary, Mr. M. C. Crighton, up till 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17.

The New Plymouth Fire Brigade acknowledge a donation of £2 2a towards the brigade funds from the Tarartaki Agencies. A very smart selection of Crepe de Chine Frocks cut on the latest French and American models have just been opened up by Besley’s, Limited. They are very becoming in the newest shades, as well as in Navy and Black. They are all attractively priced from 69/6 to £7 7s, showing exceptional value. . It is not often that, almost at the beginning of a season, one gets an opportunity to purchase new season’s goods at great reduction. A large London job purchase by Messrs. C. C. Ward, Ltd., the Busy Cash Drapers, New Plymouth, enables them to offer a range of Summer Dress Goods at very special prices.

“The Only Way” to save money is to economise by having your Suits, Costumes, Dresses, Hats, etc., equal to new We have the most up-to-date Steam Dyeing and Dry Cleaning Plant in Taranaki for doing this class of work. Look over your wardrobe and let us have your soiled or faded garments to reno vate. “Do it Now.” Our address is. J. K. Hawkins and Co., corner Devon and Liardet Streets, New Plymouth Telephone 685. Stratford agent, Mrs. Rudkin, the Lollie Shop. For the last week of the Melbourne, Ltd.’s, Sale of Men’s High-grade Suits the firm has decided to clear the remainder of suits offered during the Sale at cost price. Room in the fixtures is urgently wanted for large shipments of Christmas goods now arriving.